Mt. Laurel police say baby stroller was used to shoplift

Distributed Photo, Mount Laurel Police Department

Police said Nicole Hatch, 33, and Edward Hatch, 37, walked into a Dick's Sporting Goods store, stroller in tow, cut security locks from several Easton Mako Torq BBCOR baseball bats, placed five of them in a stroller, and left.

Police said Nicole Hatch, 33, and Edward Hatch, 37, walked into a Dick's Sporting Goods store, stroller in tow, cut security locks from several Easton Mako Torq BBCOR baseball bats, placed five of them in a stroller, and left.

(Distributed Photo, Mount Laurel Police Department)

Police say baby stroller used to shoplift

Mount Laurel police have issued arrest warrants for a Philadelphia couple accused of using a baby stroller to shoplift pricey baseball bats from a sporting goods store.

Police said Edward Hatch, 37, and Nicole Hatch, 33, walked into Dick's Sporting Goods on Nixon Drive around 8 p.m. Tuesday, stroller in tow, cut security locks from several Easton Mako Torq BBCOR baseball bats, placed five of them in the stroller, and left.

The "high-end" bats are together worth more than $2,700, police said.

The Hatches are also accused of employing the stroller strategy March 21, when they allegedly looted arcade and vending machines at a Mount Laurel amusement park.

Surveillance cameras at the Funplex on Route 38 captured Nicole shielding Edward with the stroller as he broke into the machines' cash boxes and stole an undisclosed amount of cash, according to investigators. The machines sustained more than $500 worth of damage, police said.

The Hatches are facing charges of criminal mischief and theft in connection with that incident, as well as third-degree shoplifting for allegedly swiping the sluggers. They remained at large Sunday.

Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call Mount Laurel Police at 856-234-1414, ext. 1599.